NaijNaira
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stop the planned closure of 34 embassies in Abuja over unpaid ground rent.
According to a report by Channels Television, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) recently revealed that at least 34 embassies in Abuja owe rent, with some debts dating back to 2014.
The embassies involved include Ghana, Thailand, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, Philippines, Netherlands, Turkey, Guinea, Ireland, Uganda, Iraq, Zambia, Tanzania, Germany, DR Congo, Venezuela, Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Chad, India, Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the European Union, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, China, and South Africa.
SERAP emphasized that enforcing the closure would breach international diplomatic agreements. The group said on X (formerly Twitter), “President Tinubu should urgently caution and direct the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to immediately withdraw the threat to close down 34 embassies in Abuja.”
SERAP referred to the Vienna Convention, which guarantees the protection of diplomatic buildings. Article 22, paragraph 1, states that “the premises of the mission shall be inviolable,” while paragraph 3 affirms that such premises and properties are immune from search, seizure, or enforcement actions.
On May 26, Wike ordered the FCTA to begin enforcement on 4,794 properties owing ground rent between 10 to 43 years.
The FCTA’s Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, explained that defaulting embassies and other affected parties would be required to pay penalties ranging from N2 million to N3 million, depending on the property’s location.
